Best places to visit in Indore – Points of Interest + Shopping + Food

Indore might not be the capital city but it is the business capital of Madhya Pradesh. The city of Indore outdoes the city of Bhopal in so many ways. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Indore. I have left out the temples as they are not a must visit.

Indore Points of Interest

Indore museum

Central Museum or Indore Museum, is one of the most interesting places to visit in Indore especially for people who are fascinated by the history of India and want to know more about the indus valley civilization that flourished here in the pre historic age. It is located right in the centre of Indore city. Here, at the Indore Museum, you will see the finest collection of Parmar sculptures from Hinglajgarh. The Parmar style originated in Indore and some of its features are proportioned figures, intricate ornamentation in stone carvings and murals.

The Central Museum also houses one of the best collections of medieval and pre-medieval Hindu and Jain sculptures in Madhya Pradesh. They have been collected from the ruins of the 11th-12th century temples at Hinglajgarh from the Guptas period. Among other things, one of the most remarkable remains is a doorframe adorned with figures and ornamentation.

Indore museum is also famous for its coin collection, arms and armor.

Indore Museum Timings: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am and 05:00pm.

Indore Museum Entry Fee: Nil. Guides are also available. Please tip them a fair amount if you like their services.

Lal Bagh Palace

Lal Bagh Palace was home to the rulers on the Holkar dynasty and is a building that personifies royal grandeur of the dynasty. It is interesting to note that the palace once contained the best Rose Garden in India.

It is made more scenic by its location on the banks of River Khan which is 3.2 km. away from Indore city. The interiors of this palace will transport you to Europe, owing to its Italian marbled columns, crystal chandeliers, royal Persian carpets, flying nymphs on the palace ceiling, stained glass windows, Greek mythological reliefs, Italian style wall paintings, stuffed leopards, and tigers etc.

Lal Bagh Palace is not to be missed if you’re visiting Indore.

Lal Bagh Palace Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chattris

The Holkars were cremated here. A Chhatri or an umbrella like structure has been built on top of each cremated body as if blessing them and wishing that they rest in peace. These Chattris have intricately carved structures and will be one of the most interesting places to visit in Indore for those interested in architecture. You can also visit some temples and other structures built around them.

Rajwada

Rajwada is palace built by the Holkars in Indore city. In fact, the backbone of the city of Indore is the Rajwada area, also known as the old part of Indore. Rajwada is a seven storied structure located near the Chhatris and is a fine example of the royal grandeur of the Holkars and the architectural skills of the craftsmen of the era goneby.

Rajwada can be known as the phoenix of buildings as it has been burnt down thrice but was reconstructed time and again to preserve its essence and its historical importance. This is one of the essential places to visit in Indore.

Bada Ganapati

I was surprised to know that the biggest Ganpati statue in the world in in Indore. It is called Bada Ganpati and measures eight metres in length. Bada Ganapati is made of a mixture of jaggery, limestone, bricks & soil and water from major places of hindu pilgrimage in India. This makes it one of the most popular places to visit in Indore even for the people who are not religious.

Interesting Fact: Jaggery and limestone were used in construction of buildings in India for aeons. The Bada Imambara in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh is also made from such a mixture.

Shopping in Indore

Sarafa Bazar

Indore’s Sarafa Bazar is a jeweller’s street by day and a fun street food market by night. Sarafa Bazar is a must visit more so for the food than for the jewellery. Here are the top 11 things to eat at Sarafa Bazar Indore.

MT Cloth Market

If you are looking for dress materials to be stitched or wholesale clothing stuff, MT Cloth MArket is where you should head to.

Sitlamata Bazar

Sitlamata has some good retail shops for clothing and sarees. Indore is very famous for Maheshwari and Chanderi handloom sarees of Maheshwar and Chanderi craft clusters in Madhya Pradesh.

Bartan Bazar Indore

Bartan Bazar in Indore is the place to go to if you’re looking for economical kitchenware. It is famous for not only stainless steel and cast iron stuff but also glass and crystalware. These days, you can find some good deals on silicone and other baking essentials for your kitchen.

Shopping Malls in Indore

There are many shopping malls in Indore that offer all the latest International and Indian brands for shopping. The best malls to visit are Treasure Island Mall in Tukoganj, C 21 Mall and Indore Central Mall.

Places to Eat in Indore

Chappan Dukan

Chappan Dukaan literally means ’56 shops’. Don’t confuse Chappan Dukaan with Chappan Bhog in Indore which is stand alone sweet shop. Chappan Dukaan is a street which used to have exactly 56 shops for foodies. With time and popularity, the number of shops have now increased and street food offerings have also diversified into Pizza places like Dominoes and sit in Cafes. When at Chappan Dukaan, look out for these 33 things to eat at Chappan Indore.

Sarafa Bazar

Indore’s Sarafa Bazar is a jeweller’s street by day and a fun street food market by night. Sarafa Bazar is a must visit more so for the food than for the jewellery. Here are the top 11 things to eat at Sarafa Bazar Indore.

Apna Sweets Indore

There are many branches of Apna Sweets in Indore including the one on the highway near MHOW. But you must go to Apna Sweets in Vijay Nagar to taste the best Indore sweets and delicacies including dal bafla.

Chappan Bhog Indore

Chappan bhog is also quite famous for its sweets. Many people confuse it with Chappan Bazar Indore.

Rajhans Restaurant Indore

Rajhans Restaurant is also famous for its indori delicacies and dal bafla.

Rambabu ke Paranthe

Rambabu ke Paranthe used to be in the old area of Indore but now they have shifted to Emall in South Tukoganj. There are mixed reviews about Rambabu ke Paranthe as they are deep fried paranthas like the ones available at paranthe wali gali in Old Delhi. If you’re a health freak, stay away. But if one of those who like the rich traditional Indian taste, give it a go !

This was a classic list of all the places to visit in Indore. Will cover places for couples in Indore, Weekend Getaways from Indore and the best Pubs and Clubs in Indore in my next post. If you have been to any other interesting place in Indore and want me to consider adding it to this list, please comment in the section below.